Friday Morning Jan 31st

 Well Thursday turned out to be another typical winter day with plenty of sunshine and warm temps after a foggy start. It was so nice we hung another load of laundry outside on the clothesline and I piddled around in the garden after getting back from pickle ball around 9:30. Just another beautiful day and then we traveled to Tampa to watch Ava Mae play her last regular season basketball game where they destroyed another team by 40 points.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. There was such a terrible crash in D.C. between a chopper and aircraft that took the lives of 67 folks over night on Wednesday that we read and heard about yesterday morning. I believe it was total human error from the tower which caused this to happen, but an investigation hopefully will tell the facts.

I headed out to the Rec before 7:30 for an hour and half of good pickle ball play and left with once again a whupped body, wet head and shirt. I did make a quick stop at the library to pick up a read I had on order and return a couple reads before heading home for a snack to regenerate some energy. Nancy's toaster died so we needed some things from Sam's so we headed out and while she shopped I filled up at 2.99 a gallon. It still hasn't come down any but still cheaper than next door at 3.19, oh well.

After getting back we had a large lunch of a fresh garden salad as we knew we were leaving around 4'ish for Tampa with the Ross Family to watch the Keswick girls basketball game. Well it was fun to watch and the girls were victorious once again and now districts are coming up next week at Keswick, so we will get to see Ava play again at least one more time.

We made a stop in Seminole at Panda Express for a late night supper which was fast and delicious and you get to choose what you see under glass, very tasty but really too late to be eating at 8'ish, oh well. We got dropped off and I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONR on TV in the bedroom until lights out at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 30th

 Well Wednesday urned out to be once again another typical winter day in Florida with tons of sunshine and much warmer temps. It was another open the doors and windows kind of day after a chilly start. Nancy even hung a load of laundry outside on the clothesline and I piddled around in the gardens after a great workout on the pickle ball court with some really good players. I left after an hour and half with a wet head and shirt. I'm still getting back my stamina and hopefully next week do two straight hours or more but this last cold has left me a little peaked after an hour or so.

I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus and to give thanks for another day as well as lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding. I left the house around 7:20 and starting playing around 7:30 as the Rec is just 5 minutes away by truck. The play was great and while my partner and I won a set each we did lose the third set by 2 points oh well. I soon became whupped after another match as I could feel the lungs struggling from the chest cold, so I headed out shortly after that match. It was such fun and the exercise was great.

I did piddle around outside after a little snack of some peanut butter to regain some energy until lunch time. The outside tempos had warmed up to near perfect temps for a winter day. I did watch some hearing by the senators of Trumps picks and it still obvious the dem's haven't learned from their defeat at the polls with their hatred of him and his nominees. Its so sad they accuse those folks of their very actions, oh well.

We had leftovers for supper then headed out a little after 6 for church for our Wednesday 242 meeting which is found in the book of Acts 2:42. I almost forgot to mention I read the HILLBILLY ELEGY by VP J.D.Vance and what a commentary on his life and how he succeeded and achieved the American Dream and experienced life with all of its family issues. Great read, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 29th

 Well Tuesday started out with warmer temps and bright skies but by mid morning clouds rolled in and the temps dropped more like the days last week, not real cold but a distinct chill with no bright  sunshine, anyhow it was about typical for this time of the year. I did work outside until lunch time but didn't break a sweat.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout  and was planning on some pickle ball but Nancy thought I should give the cold another day to rest before working out on the court, so this morning I'm heading out to the Rec before 7:30 to get in a good workout either on the court or in the weight room; depending on how many beginners show up to play. I need to tone down a little and save my strength. I did harvest more greens for our sweet elderly friends who come to all of Keswick's games and we had one last night against an 18-0 team which was out last regular game at home for the season. It was a barn burner and we won by 2 points. It was the first time we played this team all season as they are in a different league and they had quite a crowd of followers.

I did my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I did catch up on the world and Israel news and already the dems are doing everything possible to stop Trump as a federal judge has put a stop to his attempt to rid the budget of waste and fraud. No doubt the waste is evident and I'm sure plenty is kicked back to corrupt politicians, oh well.

Nancy made once again a mountain breakfast mid morning which held us until we had an early supper around 5'ish of leftover beef vegetable soup, wow such fine eatin' today with bacon, eggs, grits, toast and jelly to start the gastric juices flowing and then hot soup for supper. We headed out around 6 for Keswick and watched the middle school girls beat a team from Bradenton before the varsity game with Calvary which was Ava's last regular season game at home. She played hard on defense rebounding and causing turn over's but didn't score much. It was great and some what sad to know she is finished with high school this year and playing her sport so well, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Jan 28th

 Well yesterday was a typical winter day in Florida with a chill in the air to start the day and windows and doors open by mid afternoon with the bright sunshine driving you into the shade to seek comfort from the sun, WOW what a beautiful day. One that we are so use to here in central Florida in winter and not far from the Gulf of America. I love what our real POTUS is doing for the nation and I do not worry about our future and that of our grand children with real leaders in command and in positions to keep America first and safe. Already he has foreign leaders doing as he commanded in taking back their criminals. I love it and Praise be to GOD for his leadership.

I started the day after a sleep in as I'm still fighting this now some what less of a cold and took the morning off from any pickle ball, but did work up a sweat in the garden after my usual morning routines that begin with some quite times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. Nancy made a mountain breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon an a avocodo with olive oil, wow was that ever filling and delicious which held me until suppertime except for a PBJ sandwich around 1'ish. She made a huge pot of beef vegetable soup using my fresh green beans from the garden for our supper and wow so good.

I headed out after the chill left the area and wore only a t shirt and shorts to work outside for the next couple of hours in the gardens. I hadn't done much in it the past couple of days since it had been so cold and I had a cold but I loosen the soil around many of the crops, pulled out the bean vines and got a huge mess of beans enough to share with two neighbors as well as the soup plus enough for another mess later in the week. I shared lettuces and collards with neighbor and some of the black cherry tomato's as well. I transplanted some volunteer tatter plants that came up from the compose into an area that is void of any crops plus trimmed several tomato plants and tied them up as well as staked several. It was a busy morning and I worked up a sweat as well in the heat which felt awesome for a change.

I did watch some of the hearings in the afternoon and read for a while and even took a nap in the late afternoon until supper time. I'm going back on the court this morning for an hour or so then a stop at the library for a new read by the vice potus which he talks about his life in rural America. I think we have a lot in common as I too was raised in the country on a small farm in Virginia with no indoor plumbing and by an aunt and uncle as no mother was in the picture. It should be a good read and I'm sure I can relate, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 27th

 Well Sunday started out on the chilly side but it finally pulled a Florida winter day when it warmed up into the low 70's, now that is what winter is like here normally. So excited to see tons of sunshine, blue skies and warm temps after the last several days of overcast and brutal chilly temps with the heat on, yikes. So much for global warming which is just another scam by the left, oh well. It seems maybe GOD is waking up America with now a real POTUS, several scams being exposed such as the covid virus, global warming, illegals, FEMA, pardons and the list goes on, as well as corruption within the last administration coming to light. Wake Up America as with this POTUS America may make a come back, but it will take all of US(A) patriots to make America Great Again.

I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be doing well with this post.

I started the day with a sleep in once again as I'm fighting this cold, its not real bad but I didn't want to spread any germs so I stayed home from corporate worship at our local church as we were scheduled to be greeters with hugs and handshakes, so I worshiped on line with both a church in Virginia and here. Both services were great. Nancy got back around noon as she took my place at the side doors and moved our neighbors to the big front doors in our place. One person could handle the side doors easily. So we had a frozen pizza doctored up with fresh mushrooms for our lunch.

I did head out in the warming sunshine to hand water the gardens and harvest leafy greens for the salad bowl and then sat in the sunshine for several minutes hoping to help with drying up this cold and get some much needed vitamin D from the sun. It seems to be helping somewhat with some OTC stuff that gags me at night and leaving me fuzzy headed in the mornings, yikes that is some awful tasting stuff and should kill bacteria in your body and maybe all the good cells as well. I'm going back to a little shot of bourbon, honey and lemon juice tonight before bedtime.

Well I did watch both of the playoff games and the last one was closer than the first blow out with the Eagles dominating the Redskins. I must say the Chiefs maybe the first team to three peat super bowl's as they look like a complete team in all areas. It should be a good final game to the season, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 26th

Well Saturday was another chilly morning to start the day but by the afternoon it had warmed up with the bright sunshine, enough so that I could set outside in the bright sunshine to soak up some rays in hopes to dry me out. I've still got the crud mainly in my chest and now its moving to the head, oh well. I started taking raw garlic again as well as some OTC stuff at night which is nasty to the taste buds. I think I'd rather have a shot of whiskey with some lemon and honey which I'm going to take tonight. Seems I forget about those old home remedies in this modern age, but they sure worked for me growing up as I never ever saw a doctor during those growing years, oh well.

I started the day with a sleep in but eventually emerged to do my morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name, all seem to be holding with this post. I stayed on the internet until it was time for some fruit for breakfast and then it was back to the office/ spare bedroom where I have the desk and laptop to watch the hearings on Trump's picks to lead the cabinet and America in hopes to right this government for the people. He has already done for for US(A) in 4 days that the inept Biden did in 4 years. He has visited the Carolina's and California and made promises to help with their rebuilding and alleviate some of their suffering through FEMA which had become totally political under this past corrupt administration. So sad and despicable their hatred for republicans and Trump supporters.

Well it not hard to believe but there are RINO's that voted against Trump's pick with 3 senators who must go in the next election. They are from Alaska, Kentucky and Maine and have been in the government for decades. So sad to think about the will of the people not being honored by these three. I must say Tump is a peacemaker as he tries to work out an ending to the war in Ukraine as well as in the middle east. 

Well Nancy was off to watch Eliza play basketball at school and then she did some grocery shopping before getting home. We had a lite lunch of salad and then some shrimp and pasta for supper. I read and then cat napped through out the afternoon but did head out to hand water the gardens during the mid afternoon in the bright sunshine. It not only looked great outside with the clear skies and sunshine but the warmth was awesome on my face, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 25th

 Well Friday started out on the cold side with a steady breeze which made it feel even colder for here in the usually warm sunny Florida; no snow but it sure felt like it all day long. I picked up a chill which gave me a what seems like a common cough so I stayed away from the Rec and pickle ball and ready did nothing all day long except read and rest but around 5:30, we headed out to Keswick School to watch the varsity girls and boys teams compete against a team from New Jersey of all places. Seems they come down here for some warm beach weather and compete every year against Keswick as the coaches know each other. Well they won both games but lost out on the warm beach weather. The games were close in both of the losses and made for good cheering as they had lots of family folks and friends in attendance.

We are supposed to head back to Keswick this morning to watch Eliza played with the middle school team against other class mates as she will be on the team next year. Basketball is a big sport at Keswick and we so enjoy watching them play. We are supposed to have some friends in this evening for supper and games but I'm wondering if that will work with me having a cold, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 24th

 Well its still down right cold and misty with rain which would be snow if it were 10 degrees colder, ykes and no sunshine. I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I've contracted a cough and some feelings that I may have caught a cold, so I'll skip pickle ball this morning but did play for close to two hours yesterday on Thursday with good matches and left with a wet shirt and wet head from the workout. I headed over to my barber for a cut and maybe that is  when I got chilled from the wet shirt, anyhow so far its not horrific as I headed out to church last evening after picking up neighbor Dan for our weekly mens Bible study class. We had good attendance but were missing quite a few for the cold temps. Nancy was off with the Ross family to Bradenton to watch Ava play basketball. I think there is a game ton ight and then just one more week of play except for any tournaments. We will surely miss these occasions and to think this is her last season.

I read and watched the hearing on the internet through out the afternoon and even took a 15 minute power nap as it was just to cold and nasty outside. The heat has run off and on for days now which is very unusual. This must be driving the "tree huggers" bonkers who constantly blame everything on global warming especially the wild fires when really its poor management with the corrupt dems. Its really cold in the mountains with temps down close to zero and even colder with the wind chill. I sure hope our cabin hasn't sustained any damage from this snow and ice. One year the snow was so heavy on the roof that when it broke loose after a thaw the PVC vent pipe was broke off, allowing several months of an opening in the roof which allowed rain to pour into the bathroom area. That was frightening when we arrived after being gone for 7 months to find the trash can full of water and the wood floor a little warped and another storm was happening as we arrived, oh well. We haven't had those kinds of snows in years or temps that low.

Well that was about it for the day as I was in bed when she got back from the game. I took some Robitussin cough syrup which is nasty before bedtime then hit the sack. I must say opur real POTUS is putting things in motion with honoring his plans for MAGA, Praise GOD, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 23rd

 Well Its still down right nasty and cold here with temps down into the upper 30's, of course its nothing like north Florida where snow has reached the depth of 10 inches in some places and its not melting with no sunshine or warmer temps, yikes. What happened to global warming the Left has been pushing for the past couple of years to separate us from our money with the green new deal. Thankfully our POTUS has US(A) backed out of the outrageous deal as well as the WHO which is another false agency.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding. We went and saw our "mountain mom" Helen yesterday at her new living place in Largo and she seemed well and content at her young age of nearly 97. Nancy baked her a sack of cookies of which she really enjoys and looks forward to each week. We stayed for over an hour and then headed home as the sun finally showed its face for the time we were there. It was still rather chilly with the stiff northern breeze and maybe reached the low 50's while the sun was out .

I did an hour and a half at the REC on the pickle ball courts starting around 7:30. I got in several matches winning mostly before wearing down and leaving with a wet shirt and head. My game is coming back and the knee seems a just a bit better without as much pain while running.  I've now developed a nagging cough and hope it doesn't get any worst as Nancy suffered greatly with it and congestion. I don't have a fever as you had to have your temperature taken when checking in with Helen's facility before visiting which is a first for me. Mine was less than normal since we came in from the cold upon entering the place so that was a good sign.

We cleaned up some leftovers for lunch and then again for our supper before heading out to church for our Wednesday night evening service. It was 8:30 before we got home and I had a toddy from a Christmas present in hopes it would help with the cough and it did as I slept well during the night after a hot shower, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 22nd

Well the weather here is wet and cold but no freezing yet despite snow in the panhandle of Florida, yikes this is not normal. Where are all the global warming nut jobs? Anyhow I started the morning with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem as well as can be expected. I drove out to the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play and got in a good work out winning most of my matches with different partners. The left knee is still some what painful but seems to be improving slightly, praise GOD. I'm able to still be active. It poured rain while I was there and did so off and on all day and evening with temps down into the 40's. What miserable weather as we have the heat on all day long which is very unusual. Its usually the other way around with the a/c on after taking the chill off the house, oh well.

I spent the rest of the day either on the internet watching some confirmation hearings on Trump's cabinet choices or reading and I even got in a 15 minute power nap in the afternoon. We had Zuppa soup for supper on this cold wet day which was delicious, especially using kale from the garden. The leafy greens love this cool wet weather but the tomato's not so much as they still just are not ripening and thankfully the egg plant is producing. I need to harvest the green beans as the plants don't like these cold temps, plus there are several mature beans on the vines.  I haven't had to hand water now in a couple of days which is a plus.

We headed out around 6'ish for Keswick to watch the JV and Varsity girls basketball games and both beat a tough pesky bunch of girls from Largo High. Ava played great on defense throughout and did start to score in the second half. It was close to 10 before we got home and shower time for me and then a little ALONE time before lights out around 10:30, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 21st America has been rescued from evil

Well I know that's pushing it with this title but in my heart I do believe the last administration was not only corrupt but the worst that has ever appeared in our history that I have lived through and now we see the preemptive pardons for not only family corruption but those who persecuted the now POTUS in using the DOJ to do so. How can anyone not love their country and want it to be safe and secure for themselves and their families is beyond my comprehension and this last one did everything to destroy us from within and do just that, oh well. I have family members who voted for this evil man and his minions, so sad.

I started the day with a sleep in on this quite chilly morning and it never really ever warmed up much as there was little to no sunshine throughout the day. I believe 50 was maybe our high but it stayed down in the 40's for most of the day with a breeze and overcast skies which really made it feel even colder. The heat ran through out the day as well. I ventured out of the house once to harvest a very nice egg plant which we fried up for supper along with a salmon filet and some yellow rice. 

I read a new book by Mark Sullivan in between watching the inauguration of Trump starting about mid morning until late afternoon and then again after the college game which Ohio State dominated. It was a great day for America with a POTUS that loves US(A) for a change unlike the last corrupt administration which did everything to destroy us as a nation. Trump gave a plan on his duties to once again make the nation secure from both external enemies and from the domestic enemies within the country by executive orders of which he signed many on TV to show America what he was doing. He wants us to be energy independent with a strong military and closed borders and designated the cartels as terrorists. I love it and now deportation starts of those who are here illegally and commit crimes. GOD Bless Trump and GOD Bless America, Later

Monday Morning Jan 20th..A New America POTUS Today..Praise GOD

 Well its obvious I'm excited about a new leader for America that starts today at noon and the last 4 years of ineptness, divisiveness and corruption is hopefully behind us and that the USA with become clean, strong and a beacon of hope for those who actually love their home land once again.

Sunday morning started out with overcast skies but warm temps which eventually changed by evening but torrential down pours that started just as we were about to leave for church happened all through the morning hours dropping some much needed rain. I imagine this moisture is now turning to snow in the northern states. We had inside jobs at church this morning for a change as we worked one of the 5 isles as ushers, meeting and greeting folks as they came and went. We were also greeted by many who attended and made to feel as welcomed as we welcomed them. Despite the rain the folks were many who nearly filled up the 800+ seats in the auditorium in the second service. Not sure how full the first service was but its usually less as its starts at 9 AM. 

We came back after church around noon and had some frozen fish patties on sourdough with some home made tartar sauce for our lunch as we knew we were eating large around 6'ish with a family birthday dinner for Eliza who turned eleven this past week. Tyler had delicious ribs from the grill and Amy had steak fries, green beans and Nancy brought a garden salad and the birthday cake. Some vino flowed before as we watched the snow inundating the football field in Philly and then again with the later game in Buffalo. All home teams won again in the playoffs except for the Bucs and the Lions, oh well.

We had such a fun time seeing the Triplett grands as the boys played together outside before eating and the girls mingled together catching up as well since they haven't been together since Christmas at our house. Katie was under the weather with some oral surgery this past week and did not make it. We all left about the same time for our respective homes after Eliza opened her presents and we could feel the temps starting to drop a little. Today is a national holiday as both the inauguration and MLK Day is celebrated so no mail and many businesses are closed. I'll be back to pickle ball tomorrow as the Rec is closed as well, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 19th... The last day of this present corrupt administration

 Well Saturday started out chilly but eventually warmed to the low 70's, finally. We saw lots of sunshine mixed in with the clouds at times, more so in the late afternoon. It felt so good to be without that cold breeze for a change. I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out after a breakfast of fruit which was a banana, orange and some strawberries because I knew we were eating large in the early evening at the Texas Roadhouse after Ava's basketball game which started around 2:20. Well the game wasn't a good one for Keswick as the team from Venice was as rough as the all black girls team the night before and the results were about the same with the loss. Our point guard was mauled and even had a tooth stuck in her elbow by this one player as she went up for a layup, unbelievable no foul was called as our player lay on the floor bleeding. Ava was constantly being mugged and was on the floor several times as well. It was a learning experience for the younger players on the team as the 5 seniors with Ava will be gone next year. She did play great on defense and did score several buckets and made some great assists but the officiating wasn't the best I've ever seen as the mugging was constant, oh well.

We all met at the eatery in Seminole around 4:30 after the game and got a table for 7, as Ava's boyfriend Landon joined us as well. Eliza was off with a church group in Orlando and missed the outing. I treated the supper and it was very delicious with tender grilled to perfection steaks and shrimp along with great rolls and veggies. I had several gift cards from discover cash back rewards which paid for us all to eat except for the tip. It was a fun time and this place is so busy we were lucky to get a table when we did and the line waiting for a table was out the door when we left. The food was great and plentiful and now I know why they are so busy when ever we drive by the place.

I tuned into the NFL after getting home and saw where the Chiefs won again and then an upset in Detroit by the old Redskin team which just barely beat our team the Buc's last Sunday with a field goal in the closing seconds. I'll pull for them the rest of the way as they will be an under dog no doubt. Today two more teams play during the afternoon but first we will head to our local church for worship at S.R.B.C. where we will be ushers for a change in the second service. We will the head over to Amy and Tyler for a birthday celebration for Eliza as she turned 11 this past week. All of the family will attend for the meal and fellowship, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 18th

Well Friday turned out to be another chilly day with overcast skies and the upper 40's to start the day but by late afternoon we saw some sunshine and temps into the low 60's. I'm ready to send this winter weather back north but it looks as if another front is heading south this coming week, yikes. I sure hope these idiots who are so full of their global warming issues are waking up, folks its called seasons. Any how that is for debate on another day.

I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I drove to the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play winning with different partners and then left with a wet head and shirt and made a stop at the library for several books I had on order.

I did hand water the gardens after having some fruit once I got home and before lunch when we had a frozen pizza Nancy had doctored up with some fresh mushrooms and a garden salad to accompany. I did some catching up on the senate hearing on the picks Trump has put forth in his incoming cabinet and who will hopefully restore US(A) from the inept and corrupt democrat now in office. We can only hope and pray that will occur starting this coming Monday. The past 4 years have seen such ineptness and corruption in our government thats its almost unbelievable and now he, Biden is doing everything possible to leave the nation is such a mess with commuting criminals sentences, along with his crime family and spending the nation further into debt, oh well.

We cleaned up the last of the leftovers for supper before heading to Lakewood High School around 6'ish which is down near the Skyway Bridge to watch an all black girl team demolish our girls from Keswick by 30 points. I'm surprised we scored 49 points on them as they are a huge, well coached and rough housing bunch and most looked like they were in late teens or early 20's. It wasn't pretty to watch but our young team played hard and were always picking them selves up off the floor. The referees were both black as well and we seldom ever went to the free thrown line whereas the opposite was happening often, anyhow we go back this afternoon to play another team that came up from Venice and they were beaten by a team we beat to win the last tournament a week or so ago at Keswick. Its close to a 45 minute ride down to that school which is very nice, huge complex and its mostly built in a black neighbor hood.

We got back from the game after 9, so I hit the shower and watched some ALONE until lights out around 10'ish, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 17th

Well Thursday was another busy day that started with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding despite losing a couple JWHS classmate and former teacher. Life is precious and it really becomes evident as you grow older. It was another cold day here on the sun coast of Florida which is usually warm to hot and sunny this time of the year, but its been dreary, overcast and down right coat weather for over a week now and I'm ready to send these temps back north.

I headed out in the truck before 7:30 for the REC for close to two hours of constant pickle ball play and my game is back with winning with several different partners on the court. It was good exercise and despite the left knee issues of some pain at times I do think its getting a little better, thankfully. I did come back and hand water the gardens as the sandy soil does dry quickly along with a couple loads of laundry outside on the clothes line. I harvested two colanders of leafy greens, cleaned and then spun them dry for the salad bowl. The tomato's just will not ripen in these cool to cold temps but the lettuces, kale and other leafy greens are doing well.

I read and listened to the senate confirmation hearings on Trump's picks to help him run the government and the democrats are such losers with their outrageous remarks and statements. They have already forgotten that America sent them packing and their bias woke and D.E.I. policies with his election mandate in November, oh well. At times I do believe they are all idiots and truly hate US(A). We cleaned up some leftovers for both lunch and supper and around 6'ish headed out to Keswick to watch the girls basketball games. Both the JV and Varsity teams beat good teams from Countryside School which is in the northern part of the county. It was nearly 10 before we got away from school as it was senior night for 5 players on the team and one which was our grand daughter Ava Mae. She had a good night on the court and her play helped in a win for the team. They honored her and her parents Amy and Tyler with a presentation before the game.

We got back to the house and I hit the shower and was soon in the horizontal position in bed around 10:30 with lights off, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 16th

 Well its still chilly here in the mornings and yesterday it stayed that way all day long with very little sunshine. We have the heat on and its been running at times throughout the day and night; whats with this, its Florida, oh well. I started the day with my well before 6 rollout to my routines that always begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. I've lost another classmate this week and now one of my teachers who passed at 92 years young passed yesterday who still lived in my home town.

I headed out a little before 7:30 in the truck to the REC for close to two hours of pickle ball play and got in a decent workout and some much needed exercise. I haven't been on the scales since I started back but feel as if I've dropped an ounce or two. Its so much easier adding fat than removing it from the spare tire, oh well such is life. I'm back to a piece of dark chocolate daily as that helps with me not getting up during the night to pee, I know it sounds weird but it works for me at least. I read where the men who live in South America or wherever coco is grown there is no issues with their prostrate or excessive nightly urination.

I had a huge garden salad for lunch as I wanted to clean out the big bowl and harvest new leafy greens for another new salad as this one has been in the fridge for nearly a week. I've been harvesting sack fulls of the greens and giving them away to family and neighbors the past several days. They love these chilly temps; however the cuke seedlings died and I sowed new seeds in hopes they germinate. The tomato's just are not turning or ripening despite their maturing. I have green beans to harvest again to day as they too are maturing. I have several egg plants ready to eat and hope we will fry one today up for our lunch and or make parmesan. I ate leftovers for supper and Nancy had dogs and tatter tots.

We headed out around 6:30 for our meeting at S.R.B.C. and our deacon Steve led the meeting with a good presentation on how we identify our selves and what that means to others, since our pastor is in Brazil. Afterwards we had a small group meeting to exchange prayer needs then headed home by 8:30. I hit the shower and was soon watching some TV in the bedroom with lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 15th

 Well Tuesday started out on the chilly side but did eventually warm up to the low 60's with tons of sunshine and clear skies. The breeze made it feel colder as it was steady all day long. I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out around 7:15 in the truck for the Rec for close to 2 hours of pickle ball play and got in a good workout with several nice players before heading home to drive Nancy to her doctors appointment in the northern section of the county which took a good 45 minutes because of traffic. We were there until 11:30 when she came out and we headed to Sam's Club in Pinellas Park to gas up at 2.94 a gallon where every where else was 3.29 or if you used a credit card it was 3.39, wow, so I saved 45 cents a gallon, that's robbery, oh well. We also did some shopping for some items as well.

We came home and had a bite of leftovers for lunch before she headed out to Wal-Mart for some items as well. I hand watered the gardens and then finished a new read titled THE INMATE I started a couple days ago with a new author. It was a page turner as well and the ending was surprising. I love these thriller endings.

Nancy made a delicious bell pepper chicken recipe we use to eat a lot with jasmine rice and its loaded with fresh veggies as well as bamboo shoots and bean sprouts. Its a stir fry type of recipe and so tasty. There was enough leftover for another meal. I settled into the news after the cleanup and then hit the shower watching the Lightning get whupped in Boston by the same score we beat them by here in Tampa. There sure was a lot of fighting in the game which didn't help with the scoring, oh well. It is a tough sport and now the twins are wanting to learn the game by taking ice skating lessons. Thats something I never experienced as it was tough just roller skating for me at church socials back in the days, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 14th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side but by mid morning the temps had risen to the middle 60's which felt awesome as I donned t shirt and shorts to work outside after an hour or so of pickle ball inside the gym at the Rec. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding however I did see in the Winchester Star (local paper back home) that another classmate of mine has passed . I didn't really remember much about her but did know who she had married which was another classmate of mine and I knew him well from P.E. and playing football.

I had a workout with mostly intermediate players on the court but did get in some exercise but never really worked up a sweat, hopefully today I'll work up a sweat with mostly advanced players on the court, at least I'm back for now which I have missed. I came home and decided to work in the garden hoeing, weeding, transplanting some seedlings and there I worked up a sweat until lunch time. Nancy was off to a doctor appointment for a followup on her heart issues with an echo cardiogram which is yearly, since she has a racing heart at times.

We had a lite lunch then she baked some chocolate chip cookies for our "mountain mom" Helen who is just about 15 minutes or so away from us in Largo. Her son Rick moved her down from Elkin to this very nice ALF where she is fed 3 times daily and into a small private room. Its so much nicer facility than the one she was in before and she was always getting covid and being sequestered to her room, oh well. She looked her nearly 97 years young but was lucid and very awake sitting up in her wheel chair. I don't think she gets any exercise but she always has a laugh and looked forward to our visit with the cookies Nancy promised her. Rick was there trying to get social security changed to her facility.

We had an hour or so of remembering back when we first built our cabin and coming to the mountains to visit with Roy and her and how Roy(late husband) helped us in securing the land and doing so much for us before he passed. Rick was seldom in the picture during those 45 years or so, as we looked after her when we were at our cabin. I'm thankful he is now in the picture taking care of her and her needs in her final days, but we sure have enjoyed her and blessed her with being associated with our grandkids which she gets tickled over when they visit. She never had but the one child and he never blessed her with any grands. He had some issues growing up which at one time strained their relationship but that is in the past.

Well Nancy made another pot of that delicious soup called "penicillin " soup that she picked up off the web which as tons of good things in it and it was our supper. After the cleanup I headed in to watch the news and the fires in southern California are just devastating but so is the devastation in western Carolina where its now cold and many folks are still living in tents. You don't hear much about that area but only in the liberal state which isn't right, oh well. Hopefully this time next week Trump is in office and the wrongs can start being corrected this inept potus has done to US(A) the past 4 years.

I did tune into the last wild card game and the Viking were getting blown out by the third quarter so I turned the TV off and went to sleep. Yesterday our youngest grand daughter Eliza, turned 11 and we spoke with her singing the birthday song. We are celebrating her big family dinner this weekend and Nancy is making her favorite cake. Should be a fun time with everyone getting together at Amy's house, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 13th

 Well Sunday started out on the cold side with plenty of sunshine but the breeze made for a coat weather and it also was corporate worship day both on line and in person at our local church. Nancy and I served as greeters in the second service and it was cold to say the least. We love making folks welcome to hear the WORD being preached and singing praises to the Lord.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. The mountain cabin is covered in about 7 inches of snow and the temps never got above freezing for the day and or the week. We have been in touch with a neighbor there and she has been sending lots of winter pictures to us and the snow is beautiful.

After church we met up with two other couples at the Olive Garden for a delicious lunch then headed home to harvest leafy greens for several of them as well as neighbors and daughter Amy. After they all left I settled into the NFL games and saw where every home team won except for our BUC'S team which lost by a field goal with just seconds to go, oh well. They went further that I thought they would as they had ups and downs through out the season.

Not much to write about except I'm ready for some warmer temps as it the garden. The cucumber plants do not like the cold and I think they may be done for despite covering them. The leafy greens love these cold temps but the tomato's just are not ripening either. Everything else is holding as well, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 12th

Well Saturday was another chilly day with some rain over night which left us with mainly overcast skies, we did see a little sunlight during the late afternoon. I didn't do much outside as it was just too nippy except for harvesting some veggies for Betsy who came by in the late evening. I started the day with my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post.

I read the morning away until lunch time keeping up on the wild fires in California and then with the war in the middle east with Israel taking it to the barbarians who practice genocide. We had a delicious lunch of a grilled turkey burger on sour dough bread and some fresh green beans from the garden. I did some honey do's and settled back into reading as it was just to nasty to be outside with the breeze making it feel even colder than the low 50's and no sunshine. I finished the book titled OUTLAW by Mark Sullivan and its a real page turner with a surprise ending which will lead into his next read, I'm sure.

I did turn on the first NFL game at 4 and watched the game between the Texans and the Chargers and would not have believed how the game turned around in just a couple plays after the Texans were dominated initially; however they came back and won big much like the late game between the Steelers and Ravens which really was a blow out and I turned the game off at half time and went to sleep after a hot shower which felt great on the cool chilly evening.

Today is corporate worship day at our local baptist church but first we will watch Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. at 8:15 and hear a great teacher, Gary Hamrick before we head off to greet folks at the main doors of S.R.B.C. I personally love greeting and meeting folks which seems to be my calling and welcoming them to worship with us here in Seminole. It will be a chilly morning as we always seem to get a stiff breeze which is great when its hot outside but very noticeable when the wind is chilled. We will get up with neighbors and friends and have lunch out some where after church. I'll settle into the play off games and then at 8 the Bucs play the team from D.C.I sure hope all three phases of the team come to play or we will be out of the playoff's. Truly I'm not expecting them to win the big Super Bowl but would at least like to see them play down the road in other games, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 11th

 Well Friday was a busy day for a change that started out with a well before 6 rollout to my usual routines that begin on this chilly morning with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name and in thought for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding. I headed out early around 7:20 to the Rec for an hour and half of pickle ball play with 5 different partners and was victorious in all 5 games. I left with a wet head and shirt and didn't want to push myself too much, just getting back into the game, plus by this time another dozen or so less than advanced players showed up. That was one of the reasons I came early to get in some good play with more advanced players, anyhow it was a good work out and I seem to have regain my edge after being away for several weeks with my back and leg  injury.

I got back some time after 9 and had a lite breakfast of some fruit which I now need to start doing each morning. I finished up some lap top work until lunch time and then headed out to hand water the gardens and harvest some lettuces and kale. It looks as if the garden survived these cold mornings with no evidence of frost which was great, unlike the mountains at our cabin which is covered in several inches of fresh snow and temps down in the single digits, yikes. We spoke with neighbor Shirley who sent us tons of pics and caught us up on the going on's there, since we left in October. Everyone is holding after some colds and the usual maladies that occur during the cold months. Nancy here is still coughing and the upper respiratory is still there but she is better after taking antibiotics and some OTC meds. She is still not totally healed but seems to be on the mend. Now our dear friend Sheri is down with the same stuff as well, and she and Steve are scheduled leave on a big boat next weekend for a couple weeks, oh well.

I started a new read and have about half of it read during the afternoon. I took my first power nap around 3'ish after nearly falling asleep reading for about 20 minutes. I've been busy catching up with Israel and the war against the barbarians in the middle east and also the devastation by the fires in California. The evidence is being exposed by the inept and corrupt democrats in that governing body and their disregard for the folks well being over their idiotic need to harbor criminal illegals and supply fixes for the druggies. The governor and the mayor should be indicted for these acts that left folks dead and homeless.

We headed out for Tampa around 5'ish after a delicious supper of a soup Nancy made, to watch our Keswick girls play a tough team from a catholic school. We were down at half time just like last night and rallied to win both games with just seconds to go. Our grand daughter Ava scored the last three points to put the team up by one point with just a seconds to go on the clock, she was at the foul line and made three out of four free throws. The officiating wasn't the best through out the game as they called twice as many fouls on us as the home team but the one foul towards the end they got right allowed us to win the game with Ava's free throws.

We came home in time to watch half of the college game and it was a close up until the end and the Buckeyes pulled it out decisively over Texas. The finals with be them and Notre Dame on the 20th neither of which I would have predicted due to their records, oh well on any given day and team can win, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 10th

Well just 10 days to go and we get a real America First Potus back leading the country and I know I'll be thrilled as will be most of America and our allies in the world since this old inept crook will be gone and hopefully his minions. I know California will be glad to be rid of their idiot governor and mayor  who are of the same party as this last potus who now have seen what incompetence and disregard for them has cost them; their homes and communities with these fires that could have been prevented with honest government policies.

I started the morning with a sleep in until 6:30 for a change then did my usual routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing; all seem to be holding. I headed out in the truck as it was down in the low 40's once again over night, but did warm up a little to the low 60's by days end. I got in 3 matches on the pickle ball court winning the first with an old gal friend, but then lost the next two matches with new players. There were so many people waiting to get on that I cut it short as all 4 players had to leave after their match, as I get stiff quickly after setting down and didn't want to wait around for 30 minutes to play again. I came home and checked on the gardens doing some hand watering.

I got word from the VA since my chiropractor clinic was not one in the data base the costs were on my own tab, oh well. I hope they get certified in case that ever happens again, especially if I need them in another emergency. Vitality sure took care of me and I'm no longer in pain in the back and leg, now the other knee is some what painful at times. I sure hope this old age doesn't find anymore aches and pains for me.

I read the afternoon away and finished one Mark Sullivan read and started another one titled OUTLAW. Its starting out to be a page turner as well. I did keep abreast of the wild fires in California, a state I once lived in and loved for it diversity of climate and topography as I was stationed near San Francisco. Its too bad the left has ruined those beautiful cities and now with such inept polices of protecting a small fish the whole southern part of the state is burning, leaving thousands without homes so the druggies and the illegals could be cared for. Such idiocy in my book and all of the leaders who signed on for this ineptness should be indicted for malfeasance.

Well we cleaned up the last of the pasta fagioli soup for supper and I had the last of the ham salad on a garden salad for lunch. I'm trying to stay away from as much carbs as possible and eat less with little or no sugar. Neighbor Dan picked me up at 6:25 and we attended our Thursday night Mens Bible class until after 8 and saw the record for attendance; our old leader actually attended despite him leaving the church. It was a good class but we went down a rabbit hole on a couple issues presented to us in the book of Hebrews. Hopefully next week we can moved on from the first 4 verses in the first chapter, oh well. I got home and watched a little of the Lightning game against the Bruins and they were up 2-0. Then it was shower time and some ALONE time until lights out at 10. I'm playing pickle ball this morning at 7:30 with a couple good players as usually MWF there are lots of intermediates who attend at 8, so we can get in a little good play before they inundate the courts, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 9th

 Well Wednesday was another cold windy day here in usually warm sunny Florida as temps started just above the 30's and stayed somewhere around the middle 50's for a high. The stiff breeze and over cast made it feel even colder. I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out driving to the Rec for some pickle ball play, but the lights in the gym were not working so I headed into the weight room and did and an hour on the treadmill and bicycle before heading home. It was just too cold to walk the hood, so I did get in some exercise. Not much else happening during the day except reading and catching up on social media.

We ate some leftover soup for lunch and I had a salad for supper along with some ham salad Nancy made when she cooked off a ham to make the base for the soup. We headed out around 6:30 for church for our Wednesday evening get together with a message from our pastor and then a small meeting to discuss what we heard and to share some prayer requests. It was 8:30 before we got home and the temps were dropping once again. It was supposed to be even colder than the night before so I did cover my cucumber plants incase there was frost.

I soon hit the shower and was watching some of the ALONE show on the History Channel before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 8th

 Well Tuesday started out on the cold side with temps in the low 40's and it didn't get much out of the low 50's for most of the day before it starting going back down over night, yikes. I sure hope it didn't frost last night as since the big oak is gone the garden is more exposed to it an its affect, oh well. I didn't do anything outside during the day except hand watering the garden for a few minutes in the afternoon and it was very chilly despite lots of sunshine.

I headed out around 9:45 for my 30 minute trip to south St.Pete for my chiropractor visit which I'm now doing strictly for maintenance once a month as he has fixed me up to where I'm able to function once again like before I had this bout of sciatica which was terrible. I'll never forget the pain that is generated by the nerve that ran down my leg and many thanks to Dr. Paul Chase for alleviating that pain with some adjustments to the back, neck and legs. I used that facility about 10 years ago for another flare up with the back and his boss Dr. Steve Wycoff did wonders for me then as well. I do believe in chiropractic medical care.

I did make a stop at the library on the way home and picked up a couple new reads by Mark Sullivan which I just about did half of one during the afternoon. It was just to cold to be out in the breeze and the cold temps during the day. There isn't much to write about but I was on the phone trying to get the payments for my visits to the chiropractic clinic from the VA. I finally was able to get that arrangement hopefully completed after speaking with an agent in Nebraska of all places. Thankfully since the back issues started in the 60's with an operation while serving in the USAF the VA has been a huge help when the back goes goes down and now those issues can be resolved using civilian chiropractors, oh well. 

I finished off a couple leftover wings for lunch and then some left over soup for supper. I did harvest a mess of collards for our young neighbors across the street who bless us from time to time with fresh fish he catches in the gulf. Thats the fourth mess of collards I've given away this last week and they are still producing. They are so good and good for you. I did notice I now have tons of lettuces ready to harvest as they love these cooler temps.

Well after the supper cleanup which was easy with just two soup bowels I headed into read until time to get ready for TV in the bedroom and then ready for bed at 10 PM. Not much going on except Amy did come by for some soup as Nancy had made a huge pot of pasta fagioli and after having it twice for supper and giving away about half of it we still have enough for a couple lunches, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 7th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side and then it warmed up and then we got some much needed rain with most of it coming in a down pour at times; not really the way we needed it but much appreciated by the gardens and yard. I was back on the pickle ball court around 8 for an hour and picked up where I left off in November with three wins with three different partners and left with a sweat. I'm sure glad the back held up but I was a little stiff the rest of the day, now that I'm back to carrying around and extra 10 pounds from the holiday eating, oh well. No more sweets and desserts as well as bread for a couple weeks.

I had started the morning with a before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding with this post as far as I know. I do know many of those who we pray for daily are under a cold weather belt of snow, ice and freezing temps which is a little early for the season. Where are those the "earth is warming" crowd and al gore who started all this mess when he was VP with the Clinton's. Speaking of the Clinton's can you believe this inept corrupt potus gave her the medal of freedom along with the biggest hater of America, George Soros. That is so wrong and now that award means nothing as both of them deserve to be in prison for their crimes against humanity, thankfully Biden will be gone in a couple weeks and we get a real elected POTUS back working for America.

I finally found an insurance company for my truck which my present company of 10 years double my premium. I'm not sure why but I can save half with the company with the white apron gal with the same particulars. The only draw back is now I'm getting tons of spam calls and emails about looking for insurance, oh well. I read the afternoon away as it was raining from time to time with overcast skies. The down pour came sometime around 4'ish and we had already taken down our clothes from the line outside. Nancy had boiled off a ham for ham salad and a pot of pasta fagioli which was delicious so I had a couple bowels before we headed out around 5:30 for Keswick to watch both the JV and Varsity girls basketball teams beat the Boca Ciagio girls in both games. Ava played quite well, both on defense and offense and was one of the high scorers once again. She has rebounded nicely from her back issues as have I. We both were rescued by a chiropractor and the prayers for healing by many. I'm back to see my doctor today for a followup and an adjustment and hopefully back on the court daily after today..

We got back from the games after 9 so I hit the shower and then some ALONE time on the TV before lights out around 10'ish or a little after, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 6th

 Well Sunday started with some chill in the air but by mid morning it had warmed up into the 60's and by late afternoon close to 70 once again, which is typical for Florida during the winter months. The big freeze never came this way just yet but it sure did in the mountains around our cabin with a snow fall and very cold temps that were down close to single digits, yikes. I sure wouldn't want to be there for more than a day or so. We got some pictures of the cabin sent to us by friends Bob and Mary who now live there full time and we have gotten to be friends with them in just a few short months. Everyone is doing well there also and hunkered down with this snow.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be doing well. Our mountain mom Helen is here in our area living in an ALF which is so much nicer than the one she left in N.C. Her son Rick is much closer and sees her more often and as soon as Nancy gets better from the sinus infection we will go see her as well and bring her some cookies that she loves. We speak with her daily by phone and while she is having some memory loss its to be expected at her nearly 97 years young. Her brother Joe is a year older but not doing well in a hospital in Tennessee as his legs just will not allow him to walk again.

We headed to church a little before 10 to greet folks at the side door and it was chilly in the shade and the slight breeze made if feel even colder. We had a great time of worship and greeting folks and then headed home to meet at the neighbors house with 2 other couples for a delicious lunch and then a game of hand, knee and foot afterwards. I didn't get to see the Bucs game except for the last play as it was after 4 when we walked home. The Bucs came from behind to win and now move on to the playoff's where they will play the team from D.C. that use to be called the Redskins but now the Commanders. I'm hoping they play better than this week especially the defense, but at least they did win their division barely, oh well.

The guys won over the gals big time in the afternoon game of hand, knee and foot. I pulled a nice mess of collards greens for the couple who come here from Missouri in the winter and who we once met at Bridgepoint church. The 4 couples including us have moved on from there and the Nymark's went back to their old church at Indian Rocks and ourselves with the two other couple now go to S.R.B.C. We have maintained our friendship since leaving Bridgepoint over the years and enjoy our fellowships. Well after we settled into the evening with a lite supper of just a salad I watched the NFL until 8 in the living room then headed to the bedroom to watch the late game between the Lions and the Vikings. The Lions were winning big when I shut the lights out around 11'ish.

Today I';m going to head to the Rec for an hour or so of pickle ball as its been a month or more and a few added pounds to the frame. I do need to cut back after all this holiday eating with desserts. I'm almost what I was when we got home from the cabin in October which was over 200 pounds. I've put on 10 pounds since then after being down to 190, yikes thats not good and the spare tire proves it, oh well the eatin' was no doubt delicious, and the inches so much easier to put on than remove, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 5th

 Well Saturday started out once again on the chilly side with temps in the upper 40's, still no frost as of this winter and the garden is doing just fine thus far. It did warm up to the upper 60's and maybe even hit a low 70 by late afternoon when we compare this with what's happening in the mountains; its a heat wave. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my lord, Jesus, to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I piddled around on this computer until mid morning when it started to warm up a little before heading out to hand water the gardens.

We had a semi mountain breakfast with eggs, leftover kielbasa and toast before I headed out to check on the gardens, bury some table scraps in the garden and to hand water it for the day. The air was still chilly with a breeze coming out of the north despite the bright sunshine. I checked the webcam's for our mountain area and there was a white covering of snow every where and the temps were in the teens; too cold for me anymore. Nancy had the heat on here for a couple of hours to take the chill off the house, but it did eventually warm up to shorts and t-shirt weather.

 I didn't do much except a few honey do's and then I read for a couple hours and then tuned into some college football bowl games and then finally into the NFL by late afternoon. Nancy was off to the Ross residence to help with securing and feeding Rocky their huge dog who is a hoot, we decided it was better to go to their house instead of housing him here for the day as he is like a bull in a china closet, plus my garden has no fence around it in the back yard and he would be in it for certain.

The Ross Family traveled down to Palm Beach/Ft.Lauderdale area for a basketball game at a huge complex which was not too far from the Trump place. They did go by and saw where our POTUS now lives and makes his residence call Mar a Lago and the place had tons of police vehicles around it. By the way this team they played whupped Keswick by a good margin. Ava did play and played without pain which was good too hear. Not sure why the coach would schedule games 4 hours away when there is plenty of competition in the local area, oh well.

I grilled chicken wings we were supposed to have new years eve but we didn't and I had frozen them until today. They were excellent and we have enough for another meal along with a Caesar salad from the last of my romaine lettuces I harvested a day ago. After the cleanup I settled into the end of the NFL game which wasn't that great and then I hit the shower and then some ALONE on the bedroom TV until lights out at 10'ish. Today is corporate worship at S.R.B.C. where we will work the doors greeting folks and then lunch out at the Botbyl's until the Bucs game comes on at 1 PM in Tampa. Son, Bobby and grandson Gabe will attend along with his father in law Bruce. Lets hope all segments of the team show up to play against the lowly Saints, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 4th

 Well Friday morning it was chilly to start the day and during the afternoon it finally warmed up enough for shorts and t-shirt, but by the evening it was down to sweater weather once again. We looked at the webcam for our mountain cabin and there was a layer of the white stuff all around the many places we know and are familiar with and the temps were down right cold. What happened to the alarmist global warming crowd which is just another way to redistribute wealth, oh well. I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing; all seem to be holding with this post.

Nancy was off to see a doctor as she needed an antibiotic to help her battle this sinus infection and cough. She saw my doctor who is oriental and he mentioned he was aware of the last name and gave me a compliment about my attitude. Its strange he wanted to give her the covid test but she refused as last time she suffered blood clots in her nose and bleed for a weeks, so he prescribed some scripts for her but never examined her at all, just listened to her describe her symptoms; anyhow we picked up the meds and the OTC stuff at Walgreens during the afternoon and returned a coat she had ordered, but was too tight to the Fed EX drop off there as well.

Nancy is doing much better since taking the meds and seems to be on the way for improvement, at least she didn't keep me awake snoring during the night which was a blessing to me. I did do a little garden work, mainly hand watering during the mid morning and everything is looking good. I made a stop at the library was a couple new reads as the ones I have on order have not arrived after dropping Nancy off at the house from our med run to Walgreens. We cleaned up the last of the big dinner on new years day for lunch and supper and now we start with other items we bought for the celebration but never got prepare. I'll grill chicken wings this evening for our supper and along with a garden salad we should eat high on the hog again. After the clean up from supper I tuned into the college football minor bowl games before calling it a night around 10:30, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 3rd

 Well Thursday started out with just a chill in the air, nothing major yet but its supposed to get down into the lower 30's according to the weather forecast as a major polar vortex hits the lower 48 states this coming weekend. I sure hope it  doesn't freeze here as I have lots of veggies starting to mature, anyhow it was a pleasant day and no a/c for a change. I started the day with my 6'ish rollout to my morning routines  that always begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. Everyone seems to be holding and our dear friends in the mountains had their baby which turned out to be another girl at 6 pounds plus. It rather small as both of them are large frame parents, but their first girl was small when she was born, oh well. Both mom and baby are home with their siblings and doing well.

I piddled around on the internet until close to 10 then headed out to work in the gardens until lunch time. I harvest the last of the romaine lettuces and cut them up for Caesar salads and then we both had one for our lunch. I sowed more seeds but they haven't germinated so they must be old. I have lots of butter crunch lettuces coming on as well as red romaine lettuces along with Swiss chard, kale, beet greens and spinach, so I have plenty for the salad bowl which I try to keep filled at least once every couple of days.

The tomato plants are loaded as well as is the black cherry tomato plant; they are weird but once you get use to their color they are very delicious in taste. I now have carrots up which will take quite a spell for them to mature but oh so good when they do. The herbs are just so beautiful with tons of cilantro, dills both regular and Thai as well as parsley and rosemary. The egg plant has several set and are about golf ball size. The recently transplanted cucumber seedlings have added another leaf but they just do not do well in cold temps, so if it get really cold here I may have to put a bucket over them for protection. The bush beans are loaded with little ones and lots of blooms and probably needed picking again.

Well we had leftovers for our supper then I headed out for our first mens Bible study group and we had about twice that number of men as we've ever had in attendance and the new leader Steve does a great job and is well prepared as we study the book of Hebrews. I picked up Dan at 6:30 and we were finished at 8 PM. I enjoy this class and got a new perspective on learning about this letter which is often mentioned to daily living as well and its translation from the original Hebrew language into our many different Bibles we read today. The book was mainly to tell the jews about Jesus and the new covenant which was different from their believe in the old testament as they looked for the Messiah which was prophesied. Very interesting to say the least.

Well I hit shower after checking the football scores and Notre Dame whupped Georgia to advance in the playoffs. There are 4 teams that will eventually play for the college championship later this month. Many players decided to sit out the playoffs as they turn pro and don't want to risk injury before the draft, which made a difference in the outcomes of the games, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 2nd 2025

 Well the first day of this new year started out with warm temps and the a/c on but as the day wore on the weather changed to less humidity and cooler air which allowed us to have the windows open until late evening when the girls started to get chilled and we shut them until Nancy had a hot flash and we reopened a couple around the table while playing a family game. after eating. Its supposed to get really cold here according to some forecasters and there is a possibility of a freeze, yikes which would be a first in many decades. I remember one year the tomato's the size of baseballs froze solid overnight.

I started the day with my usual routines of being up around 6'ish doing some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out around mid morning to work outside in the gardens until lunch time, hoeing and hand watering. I finished up the leftover soup for lunch then settled into the first bowl game of the day and it really turned out better than I expected with it going into overtime and the second game was a blow out and we only watched a quarter or so as it was time for supper which is our usual fare of sauerkraut and pork, hot dogs and kielbasa as well as mashed tatters which Bobby made and brought in a crock pot, plus a garden salad and crusty bread all which was very delicious. Amy made brownies and a cheesecake which were also very delicious. Lots of fruit of the vine flowed as well among us guys.

Afterwards we played a game that everyone could play including the twins but only Huck wanted to play while Ryder watched TV. The game is a hoot and called "Herd Mentality". Eliza loves this game and its one where all of the grands enjoyed it and had lots of laughs. It was going on 8, so Bobby gave the twins a shower and got them in their PJ's as they would be asleep by the time they got home. Everyone left soon afterwards and we put the house back in order and get ready to start another year hopefully of good health. While we were playing the game Melissa from across the street brought over a couple slices of Andrews birthday cake which was a delicious red cake with such great tasting icing. We were all playing the game and being raucous no doubt as we had the windows open when Ryder came to the table bearing a plate of cake and we wondered where did he get that and she was at the door, so funny no doubt as she greeted us warmly from the door as we were being that loud. She and Andrew often have family over and today was his 30th birthday which I'm sure they had a big group over for that occasion. They are such sweet neighbors and I share my garden with them and they share usually fresh caught fish with us.

On another note our dear sweet friends Jake and Katelyn in the mountains had their baby after being induced that was rather small at 6 pounds for them as they both are full size, but they didn't give out the gender yet as they wanted to tell their other two kids first. Sure hope all is well with both mom and baby.

It wasn't long after everyone headed out until I hit the shower and then so TV time before lights out for me at 10'ish, LATER  Here's wishing the best for ALL for this new year.

Wednesday Morning Jan 1 2025 Happy New Year

 Well Tuesday started out with over cast skies but warm and eventually there came a down pour which was greatly needed for the gardens and yards. I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus and to give thanks for another day. I'm still in shock of losing so many known associates of mine these past couple of months and weeks. I figure I'm on borrowed time with my age, but thankfully I've recovered from my most recent severe level of pain and immobility by using a chiropractor. I now have an issue with the left knee but nothing I can't handle with exercise and hopefully some adjustment. Everyone on my list I lift up daily seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out around mid morning to clean off the flat roof of the house and the gutters using my blower and I'm sorry I put this off for so long because the roof was littered with small stuff from when I had the oak removed a couple weeks ago, and the gutters were full as well. I got them cleaned out just in time for the rain to clean them off completely. My next couple of projects is to replace the gutters after painting the house some time in the near future. I did piddle around in the gardens loosening up the soil and I learned why my cherry tomato's are black; its because I planted one that produces black tomato's unbeknown to me at the time. I should have read the sticker closely but just saw cherry tomato and bought it. I ate a couple and they are delicious but weird when your use to red tomato's.

Nancy was still under the weather so we decided to cancel our event with friends and neighbors for the new years celebration and reassign it for after church next Sunday. We froze the chicken wings and ate some of the spinach dip for supper which is delicious. I had a couple bowls of the home made vegetable beef soup and some bread for lunch which held me the rest of the day and I just snacked a little around supper time. Today, we will have a huge supper with all of the immediate family which is with just Bobby and Amy's kids for a change. There will be lots of pork, sauerkraut, hot dogs and kielbasa with smashed tatters and a garden salad plus crusty bread and cheese cake for dessert and of course some fruit of the vine and football in the back ground. I always love this day with the awesome dishes, but we left out the bean soup for a change.

I did watch several bowl games on the TV through out the day and evening and dozed from time to time. I don't have Nancy's congestion yet and hopefully don't get it as she has been miserable the past week with a snotty nose and racking cough as well as feeling light headed at times, but no fever which is good, so she isn't contagious, thankfully. But we still decided to stay home and I hit the shower around 10'ish and was soon in bed thereafter. I could hear fireworks all evening but once I hit the sack with my ear plugs in, I was gone for the night.

Here's wishing the best to all of my readers for this new year, especially all of you who helped make Trump our new America First Potus. It's so strange to have a leader once again the MSM hates and it sure makes you wonder why, except for a few networks and why those other networks and academia support the haters of Israel. We live in a twisted world of ideologies that support the killing of the unborn as health care and the changing of your gender with surgery and the honoring and celebrations of evil in our entertainment industry and elected people to the congress who are blatantly opposed to the USA and then we have the dishonoring of GOD which has made America Great in the past; but now we have an mandated elected POTUS unlike the last inept selected potus, who hopefully will right this ship called America. PLEASE GOD BLESS US(A) ONCE AGAIN, LATER